Dan Ralphs mentors at Williamsburg Academy in Cedar City, Utah.  Here, they follow the Oxford/St.John’s model of education where the students become not only learners, but teachers as well.   Dan will be mentoring the Youth Conference at the FATJEF in Rancho Cucamonga, April 24, 2010.  You can go to the registration tab here on Tommymom, download the form and register today!  It’s $35.00/student and this includes lunch!  Register early to reserve your space.

Hey, Dan!…It’s always such a pleasure to talk with you.  I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to do this.

Well, I feel really honored to be featured on Tommymom. You know that I recently became a subscriber, so I’m “in.”  I can’t believe that the powers that be, saw fit to feature me.

What can I say?  I know people.  And I happen to live with Sons #1-#5 that think that you are nothing short of amazing!  They love you, the three older ones love attending your workshops, and feel privileged to call you a friend.  Actually…can I confess something?  They call you “A Modern Day Ghandi.”  And it’s usually followed by hysterical peals of laughter.   They all need to get a life!

Actually, it’s funny that you would say that.  My mom was a telephone operator in Southeast Los Angeles during the Watt’s riots in the 1960′s.  She was in a pretty precarious position answering the phones in those days, because she would pick up, hear people yelling and carrying on, and asking for help; then she would have to connect them to their parties.  So she heard everything that was going on.  At one point in particular, they decided that the racial tensions were running so high, my mom needed an armed escort to bring her home from work!  She was honored that they felt that way, but honestly for her personally, there was probably very little danger.  Her family was the one family on the block where every race and creed came to play and fellowship in the front yard.  My grandfather wouldn’t accept anything less.  That’s where I get the “Ghandi” trait from…both my grandfather and my mother.

We feel really privileged that you are going to be running the youth forum for the FATJEF here in California.

I have be honest. I love youth, so the pleasure and privilege are mine.  For the past 12-13 years, I’ve been working with them on one level or another.  I’ve coordinated groups of 1200 for student conferences and I’ve also mentored one-on-one in the classroom.  I believe that one of the most real, vulnerable straightforward times of our lives is that window of time between 12-14 years of age.  We develop paradigms and perceptions of who we are and what our lives are about between 14-18 years of age.  I think this age window has more times of epiphany and impact than 18-22.  Working with youth and guiding them to figure things out has become my mission and my life on this planet.

Is there any particular reason that you enjoy coming to California for this forum?  This will be your third year.

Kids are different all over the country and the dynamics are very different wherever you go; but Southern California kids are a blast!  Perhaps it’s because I’m from California, but they are a true joy and a lot of fun to work with.  They are engaging and possess great thought processes.  There is a great cross section of diversity and culture to blend with as well.  I have a great time every time I’m here.

Can you share with us what you will be doing for the youth forum?

The topic of our workshop for that day is “Leadership Education for Teens.”

Here’s what it comes down to for high school aged students.  If they don’t have purpose in their studies, they become very hollow.  One of the huge mistakes that is commonly made in conventional educational models is the statement that high school education exists so that we can go on to college.  Coupled with this statement is often the assumption that ALL high school aged individuals are going to accept that and want nothing more.  What I am hoping to convey to the students and the message that I hope they embrace is how we can all connect purpose to education and how we choose to perform within that purpose.  For example, I had a student that was passionate about music.  Yet, she really struggled to find the relevance in history and her need to know it.  Once she understood that knowing history would enhance her passion and understanding of music; she knew that it was her responsibility to transfer from “duty” to “love.”  It totally clicked.  The question that we will be considering and discussing is, “How do we become leadership education students that aren’t just basing our studies on a model?”

This sounds amazing, as always. Are you going to have required readings in order to prepare?

Not for this particular workshop. I want people to feel like they could bring a friend at the last minute or just “show up” the day of the event.  It’s an important concept to grasp, so I want as many kids as possible to be able to come.

Isn’t Tim Driver working with you and presenting as well?

Yes, he is.  I’m really excited about this.  He will be presenting to the older kids after lunch about “Leaving an Integrity Footprint in the Drug and Alcohol Culture.” This is such an important message for youth to hear from a solid mentor.  Everyone is affected by this culture, whether families think so or not.

What’s happening with your personal interests/hobbies these days, Mr. Ralphs?

Well, as you know, I am an avid sports fan in general, and I consistently play basketball and volleyball weekly.  I’m learning to love the outdoors, rock climbing and repelling, and canyoneering.  Honestly?  My true passion is teaching.  I’ve decided that even if it wasn’t my profession, I would do it.

Care to share your “latest reads” with us?

I recently read Uncle Tom’s Cabin and that was completely transformational for me.  It honestly taught me what it means to be a true Christian.

Les Miserables has always been a favorite of mine…

I’m a huge biography fan, and I really really enjoyed Ghandi’s biography.  A lot of people didn’t, but I did.

( Gee, what a shocker!…)

I’m also really getting back into C.S. Lewis these days.

Would you like to close with a principle that you live by?

“Give everyone the benefit of the doubt.”

As always, it’s been a real pleasure, Dan.

Oh totally for me too, Teri.  I always love talking with you.

Will you please tell the “too-cute-for-words” wife, Allison, “hello” for me?

I certainly will.  She’s in the other room trying to corral the “in-the-upper-percentile-of-cute” kids into doing something constructive!  Something tells me that she’s probably not enjoying herself quite as much as we are right now.

Okay, over and out, Ghandiji!